Texas unemployment rates jumps to 6.7 percent

Texas’ unemployment rate continues to rise, hitting 6.7 percent in March, up from 6.5 percent in February and 4.6 percent in March 2008, the Texas Workforce Commission said Friday. The rate is still below the U.S. rate, which is 8.5 percent.

In San Antonio, though, the unemployment rate fell slightly from 6 percent in February to 5.9 percent in March this year.

Statewide employment fell by 47,100 in March, which is less than the 52,400 jobs lost in February. In the past year, Texas has recorded a net loss of 106,500 jobs.

The hardest hit sectors were construction and manufacturing, which lost 18,800 and 11,900 jobs, respectively. The trade, transportation and utilities sector added 5,800 jobs in March while the financial services industry grew by 3,100 jobs.